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The Dead Sea Scrolls are the oldest known copies of sacred documents pertaining to Judaism, Islam and Christianity. They were preserved for centuries on parchment in jars hidden in eleven caves. Their 1947 discovery was the most significant development in the humanities in recent years. The documents are extremely fragile, but Google is putting a digital image in cyberspace at http://dss.collections.imj.org.il. About five of the scrolls are there now. Each comes with a translation and commentary.
These scrolls were originally a library. They were made during the years 200 B.C. to about 68 A.D. The librarians feared that Romans would destroy their collection, and so they hid the scrolls in caves. The scrolls contain much of what Christians and Muslims call the Jewish Old Testament or more properly the Tanakh. They also contain some song lyrics, codes of conduct and other writings from that time period.
Contrary to some initial sensationalism, the scrolls do not disprove anything. The opposite is true. First, the scrolls verify the accuracy of more recent copies of the Old Testament. Second, the scrolls increase understanding of Jewish and Christian writings from that period. Comparisons and contrasts can be made between the lifestyle and beliefs of the scrolls’ librarians (a separatist Jewish group called Essenes) and the culture of mainstream Pharisee Jews and the early Christians.
Contrary to other sensational reports, the scrolls do not contain references to Jesus or to another prophet who does things like Jesus did. The Dead Sea Scrolls are not Christian writing! On the other hand, Christianity and Islam emerged from or draw upon Judaism. The scrolls thus illuminate some concepts found in or rejected by Christianity and Islam. For example, the scrolls help in understanding the notion of a Holy Spirit. They also describe table fellowship, which Christians later used. They discuss problems with conduct in the Jewish temple, an issue which Jesus also addressed.
In addition to the on-line version, there is a travelling exhibition for the scrolls. It is currently in Manhattan’s Times Square and in May it will go to Philadelphia. Some time ago there was an exhibit at Chicago’s Field Museum.
Another place to see the scrolls is in Moraine Valley’s library. There are three copies of the text and nine different commentaries there.
I recently saw another valuable, though a new book: “The St. John’s Bible”. It is the first hand-written Bible since the invention of movable type. Donald Jackson, a famous calligrapher in Wales, directed a team for over six years. The result is stunning in its layout, color, small margin drawings and more.
The book’s home is in Minnesota, but it is on a travelling schedule (as found on the website). I saw it at LUMA, a wonderful gallery on Chestnut St., just west of the Watertower Plaza, adjacent to the Hershey’s Chocolate display. There are some paperbacks that explain the book’s artwork. A full copy of the book is prohibitively expensive, even for Moraine Valley’s library. I predict, however, that in a year or two the owner (Benedictine monks in Minnesota) will publish a popular edition.
Both of these treasures benefit from cyber-technology. The lesson for me however is the care of manuscripts and books that many people over many years exercise. Every book that comports with the plan of God is a sacred book. Thus there are thousands of sacred texts on our campus. Textbooks, research books, novels, popular non-fiction, collections—all these are valuable. Our library, our bookstore in the D building, storage areas in C and CCT buildings—all are sacred places. Each student’s backpack contains holy items. It is a blessing to be on our campus in the company of so many books and among people who appreciate their value.
